Drug-Induced Muscle Cramps

Reasons to suspect that the cramps are drug induced:

(1) The onset of cramps or a worsening occurred after a drug was started.

(2) Discontinuation of the drug reduced the muscle cramping.

(3) There is not another diagnosis that can explain the cramping better.

Processes that can result in drug-induced muscle cramps:

(1) dehydration

(2) electrolyte abnormalities

(3) peripheral neuropathy

(4) toxic myopathy

Drugs implicated as causes of muscle cramps include:

amphotericin B

beta agonists (salbutamol, levalbuterol)

beta blockers

calcium channel blockers

chemotherapy (vincristine, cisplatin, other)

cimetidine

clofibrate

conjugated estrogens

corticosteroids

diuretic therapy

lithium

naproxen

raloxifene

statins

succinylcholine

teriparatide